October 12 News Items

Space Florida Plans Commercial Space Day During World Space Expo (Source: Space Florida)
Space Florida will sponsor a Nov. 1 meeting during the World Space Expo designed for space industry representatives doing or looking to do business in Florida. Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp is expected to attend.

Space Florida Sponsors Dec. 13-18 Space Academy (Source: Space Florida)
Florida undergraduates who are U.S. citizens are invited to apply to participate in a free Space Academy. The Academy is sponsored by Space Florida and the NASA/Florida Space Grant Consortium. Participants will engage in a variety of educational space projects, including robotics, balloon payload launches, GPS educational projects, and other activities at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. Visit http://www.spaceflorida.gov/Education/ to apply before November 30.

What is the "Cape Canaveral Spaceport"? (Source: ERAU)
The FLORIDA SPACErePORT frequently refers to the "Cape Canaveral Spaceport" and I have been asked recently whether it refers to Kennedy Space Center, the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or both. The Florida Legislature a few years ago placed the following language in Section 331.304(1), Florida Statutes: "The territory consisting of areas within the John F. Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station may be referred to as the "Cape Canaveral Spaceport." The "Cape Canaveral Spaceport" therefore is a legally established state designation. This purpose of this designation was twofold. First, it was intended to facilitate treatment of the spaceport as a state transportation facility, to facilitate the investment of state transportation dollars in spaceport infrastructure. Second, it was intended to simplify the marketing of the Cape to prospective new users. Ultimately, it was envisioned that the FAA would provide a three-letter designation (CCS) to the spaceport, like it does for airports nationwide.

FLORIDA SPACErePORT Turns One (Source: ERAU)
It has been one year since the FLORIDA SPACErePORT began publication as an email newsletter (with accompanying blog). The email publication was previously distributed as the Florida Aerospace News Update & Calendar, with sponsorship by the now-dissolved Florida Space Research Institute. Prior to FSRI's sponsorship, it was known as the Florida Spacegram and was originally distributed as a fax by the Spaceport Florida Authority (click here for a short history). It originated in the early 1990s as a bi-weekly summary briefing to the Governor's Office in Tallahassee. These days, every item in every weekly newsletter is archived at the FLORIDA SPACErePORT blog and is searchable via a Google tool. I would appreciate your feedback on the newsletter. Click here to send me a note.

New Russian Angara Rocket to be Launched in 2011 (Source: Itar-Tass)
The first launches of new light and heavy-class Angara rockets are planned for 2011 as scheduled, and there will be no schedule revision, Vice-Premier Sergei Ivanov told the military and industrial commission. Angara launches were repeatedly postponed since 2005 because of financial problems, including the insufficient financing for the launch pad construction. Ivanov has emphasised that Angara was planned to launch military-purpose and double-purpose spacecraft only from Russian territory. Ivanov described the Angara rocket development as a particularly important state task. It will ensure a guaranteed access for the country to the space without dependence on any political or economic situation. The Angara family of rockets is thought to be similar to the U.S. Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) concept, with multiple configurations designed to launch both heavy and medium payloads.

Vietnam to Launch First Satellite Next Year (Source: Thanh Nien Daily)
Vietnam will launch its first telecommunications satellite next year, said the vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Physics Society. VINASAT-1 was designed and built by Lockheed Martin under a deal signed by the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT). VINASAT-1 is expected to improve Vietnam’s telecommunications, enabling 100 percent of the country’s land area to obtain access to telephone and television signals. Doctor Triet also said Vietnam’s second satellite, VINASAT-2, is slated for launch in 2011. Under the plan, the second satellite would help facilitate natural resources research. The Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology established its space technology department early this year.

Space Florida Plans Next Generation Explorers Program on Nov. 1-2 (Source: Space Florida)
The Next Generation Explorers Program, sponsored by Space Florida, will immerse 3,000 Florida sixth through eighth grade students in interactive, informative and inspiring experiences designed to motivate them to study math and science. Students will rotate through the following activities: Tour of the Universe program, Science on a Sphere, Cool Space Careers question and answer sessions with astronauts, scientists and engineers, participate in a weather balloon release and the new Shuttle Launch Experience attraction at the Visitor Complex.

Space Florida Plans Weather Balloon Launches at World Space Expo (Source: Space Florida)
Under the direction of Space Florida, six student teams from around the state are designing and assembling payloads for a series of high-altitude weather balloons to be launched from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. The payloads will consist of ‘live’ cameras and Global Positioning Systems. As the balloons climb to a planned altitude of about 20 miles, the students will be able to track the flight path across the State of Florida or Atlantic Ocean, (depending on wind currents), while the camera on board relays pictures to a Jumbo Screen at the Visitor Complex. Visitors and students alike will have the opportunity to view the curvature of the Earth and the blackness of space.

Orbital Commerce Project Brings Flight Simulator to Embry-Riddle (Source: ERAU)
Florida-based Orbital Commerce Project (OCP) visited Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus with their high-fidelity flight simulator system for rocket-powered aircraft. OCP provided rides to student and faculty to acquaint them with the type of flight operations now planned by companies like Virgin Galactic.

NASA Sponsors Polar Palooza Science Education Event in Tampa (Source: NASA)
NASA is sponsoring a Nov. 8-10 polar science event at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa. MOSI plans to have about 1,000 elementary students to interact with the "Polar Palooza" travelers, see an IMAX, and explore exhibits. There will also be special programs for middle and high schoolers, multiple events for families and the general public, and briefings for community leaders and museum trustees. MOSI plans both large public presentations and smaller groups where all six Polar Palooza presenters have time for face-to-face encounters with youngsters. Visit http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/pp04k.php for information.

E'Prime Court Date in Orlando (Source: ERAU)
The legal saga between current and past presidents of E'Prime Aerospace continues, with an Oct. 16 court date in Orlando for both Bobby Davis and James Oldham. E'Prime hopes to develop a family of launch vehicles based on military Peacekeeper missile designs, and they plan initial launches from Virginia's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.